Colorimeter Optical Device Feedback Control for Light Intensity Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing colorimeter systems face challenges in achieving accurate measurements without increasing production costs, particularly due to light intensity fluctuations from low-cost light sources.
Innovation Solution
The optical device incorporates a lighting unit with variable light intensity, a light controller that adjusts intensity based on control parameters, and a processing unit that performs measurement cycles with reference and sample measurements, using target control parameters to stabilize light intensity and correct for variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If low-cost light sources are used, then production costs are reduced, but light intensity fluctuations increase measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a light detector monitors the actual light intensity from the LED source and sends signals to a controller that adjusts the light intensity accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism compensates for LED intensity fluctuations, maintaining stable measurement conditions without requiring expensive stable light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the light intensity parameter by varying the drive current to the LED based on feedback from the light detector. This parameter change allows the system to compensate for LED aging and temperature-induced intensity variations, maintaining measurement accuracy despite using low-cost light sources.
2Measurement precision
If light intensity is increased to improve signal strength, then measurement sensitivity improves, but light source stability becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system continuously monitors light intensity and makes real-time adjustments to maintain the desired intensity level. This allows the system to operate at higher intensities for improved sensitivity while the feedback mechanism compensates for any instability or drift in the light source characteristics.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the accuracy of optical parameter determination by mitigating light intensity fluctuations, thereby improving the overall precision of the colorimeter system without increasing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a lighting unit that includes at least one light emitter that is configured to emit light of a predetermined spectral range with variable light intensity
Implementation Method 2
a light detecting unit that is arranged and configured to detect impinging light from the lighting unit and to provide an electrical current with a current amount that depends on the intensity of the detected impinging light
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is directed to an optical device (100) for use in a colorimeter system (150) and that comprises a controllable lighting unit (102), a light detection unit (108), a converting unit (110) for providing digital values dependent on the intensity (I1) of the light impinging on the light detecting (108) unit and a processing unit (112) that controls a measurement cycle that includes a reference measurement and a sample measurement. During the reference measurement, the lighting unit is controlled by providing target control parameters (TP) so that the converting unit provides a predetermined target digital value. During the sample measurement, the lighting unit is controlled using the target control parameters, and sample digital values (DS) provided by the converting unit are used, together with the predetermined target digital value to determine an optical parameter of the test sample, thus increasing the accuracy of the optical device.